theDove.us - Lionel Hollinshttp://thedove.us/taxonomy/term/1276/0
enFormer Blazer, Now A Coach Has Team Off To Good Starthttp://thedove.us/sports/2012/12/05/former-blazer-now-coach-has-team-good-start
Sitting atop the NBA standings is new territory for the Memphis Grizzlies. Just getting off to a fast start is unusual. The Grizzlies, who usually stumble out the gate, are a league-best 13-3. They've never had a better record after the first 16 games of the season. They were 11-5 in 2005-06 and 10-6 last season.
Coach Lionel Hollins, a longtime Portland Trail Blazer during his playing career and lists several reasons for the great start, ranging from scheduling to preseason preparation to better chemistry. Hollins was a member of and a key contributor on the Blazers team the won their only NBA title in 1977.
Guard Mike Conley credits a different mindset at the start of training camp for the turnaround. He says the Grizzlies already were in shape and in mid-season form mentally for their season-opener.
So far, so good.
The Grizzlies are the NBA's best after a 108-98 overtime win over Phoenix on Tuesday night.
http://thedove.us/sports/2012/12/05/former-blazer-now-coach-has-team-good-start#commentsSportsLionel HollinsMemphis GrizzliesNBAWed, 05 Dec 2012 21:32:48 +0000Jim McCoy3303 at http://thedove.us